Karachi: In a bid to bolster economic ties and address mutual challenges, industrialists from the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) have teamed up with Turkish officials to exhibit high-quality Pakistani products in Turkey. The initiative was endorsed by Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, CemalSangu, during his visit to KATI, where he emphasized the importance of raising awareness in Turkey about the excellence of Pakistani manufacturing.
Present at the event were KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman, Deputy Patron-in-Chief ZubairChhaya, Senior Vice President NighatAwan, Vice President Muslim Mohammadi, Standing Committee Chairman Rashid Siddiqui, Sheikh Fazal-e-Jalil, Commercial Attaché AyupYildirim, and other prominent members.
Consul General Sangu proposed the idea of organizing a Single Country Exhibition in Istanbul, mirroring the success of a recent Pakistan exhibition in Turkey. He highlighted the growing Turkish investment in Pakistan and the rising demand for Pakistani goods such as halal meat and motorcycles in Turkey.
Furthermore, Sangu acknowledged the 18% increase in Turkey’s tourism sector, expressing optimism that Pakistan could tap into this growth. He revealed efforts to simplify visa procedures for Pakistanis and promote Turkish education by offering scholarships to Pakistani students.
Faraz-ur-Rehman, President of KATI, emphasized the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Turkey since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1954. He commended Turkey’s support for Pakistan on various fronts, including securing GSP Plus status and facilitating withdrawal from FATF’s gray list. Rehman also underscored the potential for collaboration under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in areas such as Islamic finance, halal food, low-cost housing, infrastructure development, telecommunications, and education.
President KATI stressed that despite vast trade prospects, Pakistan’s exports to Turkey faced stagnation and hurdles. Both nations expressed eagerness for a free trade agreement (FTA) that could potentially elevate bilateral trade to over $5 billion, fostering deeper economic integration.
ZubairChhaya, Deputy Patron-in-Chief, called upon the business community to actively promote Pakistani products in Turkey, citing a lack of awareness among Turkish businesses regarding Pakistan’s top-quality offerings. He also noted the untapped potential in Pakistan’s tourism sector and the opportunity to supply motorcycle tires to Turkey.
Rashid Siddiqui, Chairman of the Standing Committee, urged the Turkish Consulate in Karachi to facilitate trade delegations to Turkey in search of trade and investment opportunities. Siddiqui recommended granting Pakistan unilateral market access as FTA negotiations reached their conclusion, enhancing economic ties between the two nations. He also highlighted Pakistan’s immense tourism potential, with millions of tourists visiting the country each year, suggesting that both countries explore joint ventures to develop international tourism.
